French hens, calling birds and partridges in pear trees might seem like romantic gift ideas. But for presents you and your loved ones will truly appreciate, check out this festive gift guide for inspired ideas from some of our region’s leading businesses. Make sure the only turkey at your festivities is the one carved up for dinner.
Find the perfect gift at Canberra Outlet Centre
Still searching for that perfect Christmas gift? Canberra Outlet Centre have a huge range of gifting options from the likes of Nike, Ralph Lauren, Freedom and more. If you’re still stuck for ideas, check out the Canberra Outlet website for their gift generator. It has hundreds of great ideas at a range of prices, so you can impress come Christmas morning.
- 337 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick
- T: 6112 6222
- W: canberraoutletcentre.com.au
Book your coastal getaway for 2021
Bannisters Hotels Mollymook, just a 2.5-hour drive from Canberra, has two luxurious coastal locations on the glittering NSW South Coast, each with a little something for everyone.
Bannisters by the Sea is the perfect coastal retreat, set high on the clifftop with stunning ocean views – perfect for those who want to relax and wind down, cocktail in hand.
Bannisters by the Sea is home to the iconic Rick Stein at Bannisters, a seafood restaurant bringing together fresh, seasonal produce and the stunning surroundings to create a simply superb dining experience.
The clifftop accommodation also boasts a pool bar, serving cocktails and tasty bites as you relax and take in the ocean views, and a day spa offering a range of treatments.
For anyone who wants to be at the centre of it all, Bannisters Pavilion is set in the heart of Mollymook, just minutes from restaurants, shops and pristine beaches. It’s home to the Rooftop Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy relaxed dining amongst the treetops after a day of exploring in the sunshine.
Just day tripping to the South Coast? Rick Stein at Bannisters, the in-house day spa and the pool bar are also open to the public.
Visit bannisters.com.au to book.
Celebrate Christmas with Capital Region Farmers Market
The Capital Region Farmers Market’s local and regional farmers, growers and producers are coming together for the Canberra community with a one-off special Christmas Market on Thursday morning, 24 December.
2020 has been so challenging for everyone, in particular for our farmers and growers who have endured so much with drought, the summer bushfires and then the Covid-19 pandemic. So, to finish off the year, they wanted to come together outside their usual Saturday morning timeslot for a special Christmas market as a bit of festive fun, and to ensure the people of the Canberra region continue to have access to the best and freshest produce over Christmas.
The Christmas Market will feature fresh seafood, a range of meats for Christmas lunch, fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery favourites and sweet treats for the season, along with fresh flowers and more.
Customers are encouraged to pre-order as some stallholders will be offering pick-up only at the Christmas Market. The Market will then take a break and return in 2021 on Saturday 9 January.
Capital Region Farmers Market Christmas Market will take place Thursday 24 December 7-11am at Exhibition Park in Canberra.
See website for the full list of stallholders attending the Christmas Eve Market; capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Christmas a time for giving at Cooleman Court
After a difficult year, Cooleman Court is committed to making Christmas even brighter for our wonderful community.
Shoppers won’t miss the magnificent Christmas tree in Centre Court, surrounded by a picket fence so you can grab a COVID-safe photo during your shop.
And if the rest of our festive decorations appear pared back, that’s because we’ve diverted a portion of our Christmas fund to two of our favourite charities instead.
We chose Communities@Work and OzHarvest because we know they directly support the local people we’re proud to live alongside.
As part of our Community Matching Program, we’ll match donations up a total of $2,500 per charity.
To help us bring Christmas to people who may otherwise miss out, head down to the tree in Centre Court to donate an unwrapped gift in the red collection box, dedicated to the Communities@Work Christmas Appeal.
At our Recycling Hub, all proceeds from 10c bottle and cans are donated to OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue charity, distributing quality surplus food to Canberran families.
Together, we will make Christmas brighter for people in our community doing it tough.
Head to coolemancourt.com.au for more information.
Diamonds Manuka offers an experienced pick
Experienced gemmologist and diamond grader, Robert Hunt, has over three decades’ experience assisting Canberrans to acquire the best quality precious jewellery.
Robert and the team at Diamonds Manuka specialise in handmade jewellery and offer a wide range to choose from, featuring D colour flawless diamonds, South Sea pearls, black opals from Lightning Ridge, Ellendale yellow diamonds, and a variety of coloured stone jewellery.
Diamonds Manuka has a good supply of Australian Argyle pink diamonds from the Desert Rose collection, with outstanding hue, saturation and tone. These perfect pink diamonds are rapidly increasing in rarity following the closure of the Argyle mine in the remote East Kimberley region in WA this year.
If you’re searching for something unique, shop from a comprehensive range of unset pink and yellow diamonds from which you may select a gem and have a piece of custom jewellery created.
To provide the best service during the festive season, Diamonds Manuka has extended its opening hours to 10am-5pm, 7 days a week.
- Shop 5, Manuka Arcade, Manuka
- T: 0411 583 722 or 0422 661 880
- E: [email protected]
Marketplace Gungahlin
Ho Ho Ho! Santa and his helpers have arrived at Marketplace Gungahlin! Swing on by with the li’l ones and see if they can spot our man in the red suit and his busy little helpers roaming about the centre. You can expect lots of Ho Ho Ho’s, laughs, some spectacular acts and plenty of smiling faces! See website for full details.
PS. Don’t forget to snap some pics, Santa’s helpers would love to help out!
W: marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Mayne Rugs & Flooring has you covered
Mayne Rugs & Flooring at the Canberra Outlet Centre in Fyshwick is your one-stop-shop for all your floor covering needs.
This silly season, Mayne Rugs & Flooring is offering you up to 70% off all rugs and up to 30% off all flooring. Show this advertisement in-store for a further 10% discount.
The range at Mayne Rugs & Flooring spans several colours in laminate, bamboo and solid wood floor coverings.
Their products come with at least 30 years of structural warranty.
So, for your most comfortable summer holidays yet, visit Mayne Rugs & Flooring (Canberra Outlet Centre).
Open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm.
Located at Shop 16, 337 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick (Canberra Outlet Centre’s Homewares precinct).
T: 6280 8860
The perfect Christmas gift at Thompson Bespoke Jewellers
If you’re stuck for ideas for a Christmas gift for one of your loved ones, swing past Thompson Bespoke Jewellers in Braidwood. With a large selection of reasonably priced and custom-made jewellery, you can rest assured you will find one-of-a-kind pieces like no other. The unique hand-made pieces are filled with beautiful bright gemstones, so whether it is a pair of earrings, a necklace or a bracelet you’re after, Thompson Bespoke Jewellers have you covered. From the moment you walk through the doors to the Braidwood main street store, you will be met by friendly and experienced staff to help you find exactly what you need. With their jewellery being requested by customers all over Australia, you can be sure you’re getting top quality – but get in quick for the widest selection! You might even find a piece for yourself while you’re there.
- Shop 7, 119 Wallace Street, Braidwood NSW
- E: [email protected]
- T: 02 4842 1265
Explore the great outdoors at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
Take an outdoor adventure at the Australian National Botanic Gardens over the holidays and discover the plants and animals that live there. From beautiful flowers in bloom to lounging water dragons sunning on the rocks, you’ll be sure to have fun as you journey from rainforest to Red Centre. Check out the exhibition in the Visitor Centre or take a free guided walk to find out about what you are seeing. Or, jump on the Flora Explorer to see the Gardens in relaxing style. No need to travel far, as the Gardens is just minutes from the centre of Canberra.
- Clunies Ross Street, Acton
- W: anbg.gov.au/gardens
Elegant Image for someone special
For 30 years, Elegant Image has provided an extensive range of advanced Skincare/Day Spa products and services into the ACT from the Tuggeranong Valley including facials, skin treatments, massages and peels along with products from Sothys of Paris, Dr Spiller Bio-cosmetics and Australia’s own Intraceuticals Oxygen O2. This year, with the move to their new clinic, they have added Cosmetic Tattooing and Microblading along with IR Sauna and Micro-needling, Plasma Fibroblast and Crystaldermabrasion to their extensive IPL and Omnilux pure light therapies.
Every year Elegant Image celebrates the Christmas season with specially priced products and services. This year, along with some in-clinic product promotions, their offers include 25% discounts on their Pamper, Indulgence and Sensation Spa Packages and 25% off their $100, $200, $300, $400 and $500 gift/service certificates.
If you are looking for a gift for that special someone this year, give Mel and her crew a call. They will work with you to target products and services that give the ultimate in pamper and results-oriented skincare.
The management and staff at Elegant Image wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
- Shop 14, Four Seasons House
- 191 – 203 Anketell Street, Greenway
- T: 6293 2992
- E: [email protected]
- W: elegantimage.com.au
It’s beginning to look a lot like a FishCo Christmas!
Christmas trading hours have been set, trucks have been serviced and summer staff rostered – FishCo Fish Market is fully stocked and gearing up to help thousands of customers choose their fresh fish and seafood for their summer celebrations!
With fresh fish and seafood arriving daily, FishCo typically sells five to seven tonnes of fresh seafood every Christmas. They pride themselves in supplying a variety of fresh prawns and oysters and even encourage customers to taste fresh oysters and cooked prawns before buying.
FishCo is open seven days and now also stocks a variety of deli produce, dry goods and fresh fruit and vegetables. This started as a service for those customers who shopped on Mondays and Tuesdays when the nearby markets were closed and has grown due to customer demand.
- 19 Dalby Street, Fyshwick
- W: fishco.com.au
- T: 6239 6415
Celebrate family traditions this Christmas at the Fyshwick Markets
There’s no place like home this Christmas.
At the Fyshwick Markets, we have everything you need to keep your family food traditions alive this festive season.
From juicy cherries to fresh seafood, glazed hams and more, allow us to help you serve up home-cooked meals with family and friends this Christmas.
The atmosphere is festive, the parking is free and our hours are extended, with trade from Thursday 17 December up until Christmas Eve.
Open:
- Thursday 17 December – Tuesday 22 December 7am-5.30pm
- Wednesday 23 December 5am-5.30pm
- Thursday 24 December 5am-3pm (some stores open later)
- Thursday 31 December 6am-4pm
Closed:
Friday 25 December – Wednesday 30 December and New Year’s Day
- 36 Mildura St, Fyshwick
- W: fyshwickmarkets.com.au
Thoughtful gifts at the Museum Shop
The National Museum of Australia’s Museum Shop is selling a range of stunning products designed by artists from Hopevale Arts and Culture Centre in Queensland to coincide with their blockbuster exhibition, Endeavour Voyage: The Untold Stories of Cook and the First Australians.
Some of the spectacular artworks displayed in the exhibition adorn premium quality tea towels, hardcover journals, magnets, tote bags, mugs, coasters and more – any one of which would make a striking, thoughtful Christmas gift.
If sending gifts across the country or even the world, buying through the Museum Shop online allows you to circumvent the local post office by mailing presents out directly – Christmas order cut-off dates can be found on the Museum Shop’s website.
- W: shop.nma.gov.au
- T: 6208 5222
Give yourself the gift of body confidence this Christmas
The team at Total Body Contouring are total body specialists, with a range of treatments that work on fat and cellulite with no downtime. Treat yourself to a Christmas present from you to you with a treatment from Total Body Contouring this year, which can be targeted to specific areas of the body. When used in association with a healthy diet and exercise, the Cooltech uses cryotherapy to target and freeze fat cells, the TESLAFormer stimulates muscle contraction to burn fat and build muscle at lightning fast speed, while the VelaShape III is designed to work on stubborn cellulite.
You’re in expert hands with the nurturing Total Body Contouring team, who love what they do and strive to give their many happy clients the bodies of their dreams. It’s no wonder they’re fast becoming Canberra’s go-to team for total body treatments.
- Shop 3/22 Franklin Street, Griffith
- T: 6239 7347
- W: totalbodycontouring.com.au
Come to Cassidys for Christmas fashion
Cassidys at Jamison Plaza has wide range of known brands in the right colours and styles to make you look and feel great this Christmas.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or you’re after the perfect gift for a loved one, Cassidys has something for everyone.
New styles and ranges of daywear, sleepwear, underwear and accessories for women and men have arrived just in time for Christmas.
From classic elegance to boldly beautiful, come in and let our friendly staff help you to find your style at Cassidys.
Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear: style and comfort
If you’re shopping for a Christmas gift for a special woman dealing with cancer or other health issues, the specially trained staff at Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear are here to help.
Every item at Colleen’s Lingerie and Swimwear is handpicked to ensure style and comfort.
We also stock a range of beautiful, breathable sleepwear; hats, sun visors and elegant turbans; care packs for women undergoing treatment; beach wear and active wear.
Please make use of our complimentary professional fitting service and private appointments.
- Shop 6, 20-22 Garran Place, Garran
- T: 6285 1311
- W: colleens.com.au
Find the perfect gift at Debbie Maree’s Fashion Boutique
Head out for a drive on the weekend to Debbie Maree’s Fashion Boutique in Queanbeyan, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect Christmas gifts for the people on your list.
And with a great new range of summer lines in Debbie’s stylish boutique, you’re bound to find something for yourself there, too!
Debbie Maree’s stocks a wide range of Australian and international women’s brands, with clothes, shoes and accessories for the most discerning fashionistas, as well as ranges from local artisan producers and a number of gorgeous gifting options.
Open weekdays 10am-5pm and weekends 10am-2pm.
- 234 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
- T: 6299 3335
Gemex Super Gem Creator
A Melbourne toy developer’s newest creation has set a record for the most demand retailers have seen in the past decade. As Australian children are enduring a school holiday period like no other, activities like the new Gemex Super Gem Creator are clear winners at home! The toy allows you to turn liquid into gems in under three minutes! Simply pour the Magic Liquid into your mould, add cute decorations (fruits, flowers, pearls, glitter and more) and place your mould in the magic clam shell. In under three minutes your liquid will have turned into a hard plastic gem! Each mould has a post which pierces a hole in the gem, allowing you to attach a loop and add it to a charm bracelet, necklace, earrings, clips or key rings, the list is endless.
RRP $49; ages 5-10; available at BIG W and Target.
A teddy bear is a friend for life
A teddy bear from Canberra’s locally owned and family run The Teddy Bear Shop is a special friend for life.
The Teddy Bear Shop has quality teddy bears and plush for everyone and every occasion – even the family pooch. Collectable bears and plush include Charlie Bears, Steiff, Hermann and Gund to name a few.
The Teddy Bear Shop has been in operation for more than 40 years and now have people who received their childhood bear from The Teddy Bear Shop, buying for their own grandchildren.
This feature was created in partnership with these businesses. For more information on sponsored partnerships, click here.
